Improvement in washing-machines



M. COMMERCE. Washing-Machines. I NO 158783 Patented Jan. 19,1875.

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lhtnezmr' UNITED STATES PATENT I Orrrca MATHIAS COMMERCE, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN WASHING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 158,783, dated January 19, 1875; application filed August 26, 1874.

the following is a specification:

This invention'relates to the combination of two oscillating wash-boards, in such a manner that the said wash-boards shall be capable of moving simultaneously, but in opposite directions to each other; the object of my invention being to effect the turning of the clothes between said wash-boards, and thereby accomplish the washing of clothes with less labor and in less time than heretofore.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same with the cover removed.

A is the tub, which should be made water-tight, and constructed longitudinally of a semicircular form, and provided with a cover, B, and proper legs a. O is the lower wash-board, which is placed on rollersb in the bottom of the tub A. Said wash-board is made in the form of a segment, to correspond with the longitudinal surface of the bottom of the tub, and is allowed to move freely on the latter. The upper surface of this washboard is corrugated similar to common washboards. D is the upper wash-board, of a shape to correspond with the lower one, and is hung on pivots c from upright standardsE by means of arms 01. The under surface of the washboard D is corrugated like the lower washboard, 0. The wash-board D is allowed to swing freely on its pivots 0, .so that its corrugated surface may come close to the upper surface of the lower wash-board, O, the pivots 0 being allowed a free up-and-down motion. The standards E are made fast to the outer sides of the tub A, and are provided with upright slots e, in which the pivots c are allowed to turn. F are spring-catches, which are arranged to the sides of the standards E so that the noses f of the former can reach through slots in the sides of the standards E to about the middle of the slots 0. The ends of the pivots c, which are made to extend a certain distance beyond the standards E, are formed to receive arms or levers Gr, which are rigidly secured to the pivots c, and at their other ends connected by means of a rigid board, 0, are engaged with the levers H below their fulcrums. Thus, when the wash-board D receives an oscillating motion by means of the arms or levers G, it communicates said motion to the lower wash-board, C, by means of the slotted levers H and pins h t, in such a manner that while one wash-board moves in one direction, the other moves in the opposite direction, causing the clothes which are placed between said wash-boards to be continually turned during the process of rubbing. I are springs arranged on the outside of the tub A, so that one end of the springis attached to the pivot 0, while the other end is secured to the side of the tub A. These springs, arranged on both sides of the tub, serve to exert the required pressure on the upper wash-board, D. To enable the easy i11- sertion or withdrawal of the clothes into or.

from the tub A, the upper wash-board, D, is lifted up within the upright standards E after the cover is removed, till the pivots c are held in place by the spring-catches F, when the wash-board can be turned out of the tub A. The cover B is put in its place whenever the operation of Washing is going on, so as to keep the steam partially within the tub A. The water and dirt can be drawn off from the bottom of the tub by means of a plug or fancet, as usual. The springs I should be detached from the sides of the tub whenever the upper waslrboard is lifted out of the tub, so as not to stretch the springs too much.

This machine can easily be worked by hand, or by any known motor.

What 1 claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- The combination, with the oscillating washboards 0 D, of the pivots c, slotted levers H, pins It i, and springs I, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

MATHIAS COMMERCE. Witnesses:

R. GREvEL, N. WERTHER.

Pins h, which are fast to the sides or 

